The Wicked Guardian

by Elsie Lee

The Beauty And The Rogue Nothing seemed more unpleasant to lovely, dark-haired Miss Araminta Surtaine than a coach journey with her unctuous guardian, Lord Robert Eddystone. Still, she had no choice but to accompany him. Her eighteenth birthday, which would entitle her to the extraordinary Surtaine fortune, and freedom, was still two weeks away. But when Araminta realized that Lord Robert planned to force her into marrying his repugnant son, she resolved to risk death to avoid the fate. And so it was that she flung herself from his speeding carriage into darkness and awoke in a camp of gypsies--her memory gone, her name changed, and her future as mysterious and exciting as the roguishly handsome stranger there whose true identity was as dangerous to reveal as Araminta's own...

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Elsie Lee (Elsie Lee Sheridan) (1912 - 1987)

Pseudonym/s: Elsie Cromwell, Jane Gordon, Lee Sheridan

Wiki: "I write fairy tales for grownups, principally women... I am better at characterizations than plots, and best with cats who are unanimously adored by my readers... I will not compromise on the quality of vocabulary and grammar in my books... it is a writer's responsibility to TEACH subtly through entertainment..."

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE WICKED GUARDIAN was my first introduction to Elsie Lee. More a light mystery than romance, Araminta Surtaine was expected to earn a bounteous inheritance when she reached the proper age; which just so happened to be in a few weeks. Her devious uncle and legal guardian, Lord Robert, had his own plans. He intended to have Araminta marry his son, a slimy individual. In turn, he would share in the monies.

She was just a 'means to an end'. He drugged her; then he whisked her away to his crumbling estate at night while the two men rode on top of the carriage. Except dear Uncle Robert didn't do a very good job: Araminta woke up, overheard their nasty plans and conveniently opened the door to the coach and fell out.

*Okay, there is slightly more to what I said but you get the gist of what happened.* Except now she had amnesia and members of a circus found her. Spies, revenuers, and free-trading came alive from the pages of the book.

Some people compared the author's style of writing with Georgette Heyer. I am not sure if I agree though fans of traditional Regency romances will probably enjoy this author. The problem I had was the secondary characters spoke 19th-century British slang. I had to reread passages to understand what they were saying. I even remained clueless a few times.

The cover reflected what I assume to be the uncle, Lord Robert. Araminta's hero didn't look anything like that. The story ended with a very light, somewhat rushed romance with the gentleman to tie up loose ends.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Elsie Lee and count some of her regencies among my favorites. This is my least favorite. I still liked the voice and the story but Giles and Araminta were apart most of the book and had convenient instalove to wrap everything up at the end.

Basic story involves sly guardian and his son who want to force Araminta into marriage before she inherits her fortune free and clear. She figures it out and jumps from carriage where knock on the head gives her amnesia before being found by traveling circus. This same traveling circus is useful as a cover for dashing young Marquis Giles whose spy turns out to be guardian's son. This sounds incredibly stupid after writing it out. Like I said, not my favorite but I do like Ms. Lee's way with words. I will probably not reread this one on a regular basis like her others.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likeable characters and an interesting story. My only caveat is that too much time was spent on the various villains’ view points. I would have liked more time spent with the protagonists, especially at the end during their courtship. We spent most of the book on intrigue and only a few pages on the actual romance!

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as second season but an okay read.

[Michelle Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to understand some of the language and the characters sometimes but a good story none the less.